Battle History

Battle of Fussells Mill, VA

During the night of August 13-14, the Union II Corps, X Corps, and Gregg's cavalry division, all under command of  Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock, crossed James River at Deep Bottom to threaten Richmond, coordinating with a movement against the Weldon Railroad at Petersburg. On August 14, the X Corps closed on New Market Heights while the II Corps extended the Federal line to the right along Bailey's Creek. During the night, the X Corps was moved to the far right flank of the Union line near Fussell's Mill. On August 16, Union assaults near Fussell's Mill were initially successful, but Confederate counterattacks drove the Federals out of a line of captured works. Heavy fighting continued throughout the remainder of the day.  Confederate general John Chambliss was killed during cavalry fighting on Charles City Road. After continual skirmishing, the Federals returned to the southside of the James on the 20th, maintaining their bridgehead at Deep Bottom.   The result: Confederate victory .  The following account of the part taken by the 7th N.C. Regiment in the action of August 18 1864 near Fussells Mill, Va. in a battle report by Captain J.G. Harris.

Hd Qrs 7th Regt N.C. Troops
September 20th 1864

Captain

I have the honor very respectfully to report the following as the operations of this Regiment on the 18th day of August 1864.

Some time in the afternoon I received orders to be in readiness to move at a moments notice. At about 5 oclock P.M. moved out in front of our works between fifty and seventy five yards. We remained there until near dark when we received orders to return to works which we did with McGowan's Brigade. The other Regiments of our Brigade having previously fallen back.

In the mean time our sharpshooters attacked the enemy's skirmishers in our front and drove them from their rifle pits. Our casualties in this affair were One officer and three men wounded.

I am Captain Very Respectfully
Your Obdt Servant
J.G. Harris
Capt Comdg 7th N.C. Troops

Capt E.J. Hale Jr.
A.A. Genl

 

                                       

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